Our Mission-Beliefs-Expectations-History

We are called, gathered and blessed to be a community and instrument of grace for all sheep of the Good Shepherd.

Good Shepherd Lutheran’s beliefs and teachings are rooted in the Bible. Here are some of our central beliefs:

• Jesus Christ is God’s Son, our Savior, Lord, Teacher and Friend.
• The Bible is the record of God’s Good News, telling how God reaches out in love to help God’s people and the whole creation.
• It is by God’s action revealed most clearly in Jesus, that our sins are forgiven, and we are made God’s children.
• Each person possesses their own particular gifts given through the Holy Spirit and no one is exempt from God’s love.
• Through baptism, we become members of the Church, which is the Body of Christ. Baptism is open to anyone wanting to receive it, including infants.
• We confirm that through action of the Holy Spirit (as teenagers in the Rite of Confirmation) we take greater responsibility for living out our faith.
• Through Confirmation and Affirmation of Baptism, we become voting members of the congregation.

We focus on these faith practices: Prayer, study, worship, inviting, encouraging, serving and giving.

As a child of God, you are expected to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism to:

• live among God’s faithful people;
• hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s Supper;
• proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed;
• serve all people, following the example of Jesus; and
• strive for justice and peace in all the earth.

It shall be the privilege and duty of members of this congregation to:

• regularly and frequently participate in the worship services of the congregation;
• regularly participate in the Christian education opportunities of the congregation;
• regularly contribute time and talents by participating in the ministries, activities and committees of the congregation;
• regularly contribute financial support by making offerings and annual pledges to God through the congregation; and
• regularly contribute time, talents and finances to support the work of the Southeastern Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Find out more: About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

In July 1987, Pastor David Osborne came to Woodstock, Georgia as a pastor/developer for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  Pastor Dave knocked on many doors and networked with many people in the community, inviting them to the exciting opportunity of beginning a new congregation in the developing Towne Lake Community.  Many local citizens caught Pastor Dave’s enthusiasm and passion for the gospel, and by 1988 Sunday morning worship services and Sunday School classes were being held in rented space at a local office park complex located on Highway 92.

On December 11, 1988, Charter Sunday, “The Living Charter of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Woodstock, Georgia” was signed.  The charter proclaimed: Read More.